Transcript Debating Disease

Debating Disease
2012 GMU DEBATE INSTITUTE
Ivan Kyagaba and Young Kwon
• 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic
• Killed 20-40 million people—number is
higher than people killed in WW1
• Movement of Armies/Trade Routes=spread
of strain/poor living condition.
• Spread through North
America/Europe/Asia/Africa/Brazil/South
Pacific
• Origin is not unknown—thought to have
originated in China in a rare genetic shift—
research continuing.
1918 Flu Pandemic
• Three types (Zaire, Sudan, and
Bundibugyo)—associated with outbreaks
in Africa.
• Reston species have been found in
Western Pacific—but is asymptomatic.
• Health care workers who have not taken
proper precaution have been affected.
• No specific vaccine has been developed
yet/experiments continued
• 1859 Cases identified over 1200 deaths.
Ebola
• Caused by bacteria that often affects lungs
• Spreads from air—1/3 of the world population has
latent TB—one that doesn’t trigger symptoms yet.
• Second largest killer after AIDS
• Treatable/Curable—correct application
• Multidrug Resistant TB—doesn’t respond to firstline vaccinations—primary cause is incorrect
use/poor quality medicine
• There are second-line vaccinations—limited/not
available to many.
• Annually, about 440 000 fell ill with MDR-TB and
150 000 died due to this form of tuberculosis.
Terberculosis
• Antibiotic Resistance: the ability of a
microorganism to withstand the effects of
an anti-biotic
• A bacteria that carries several resistance
genes=superbugs.
• Incorrect diagnosis/unnecessary
prescriptions/growth hormones
• MRSA (Methicillin-resistant) appeared
MRSA
• Common Name: Flu
• Virus
• Highly Contagious—spread through airborne droplets/other
agents include animals and fomites.
• Type A/B/C—A/B most common—often peak during the
season
• Influenza vaccination is used—but in poorer/industrial nations
have less chance of survival
• WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network—partnership
with National Influenza Centres for disease monitoring
Influenza
• Bird Flu—viral disease of birds
• Doesn’t affect humans, but H5N1—caused serious
infections—associated with direct or indirect contact with
infected poultry.
• 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong, China, and other Asian
regions
• Failure of treatment—gastrointestinal failure—no drug
absorption
• Likely chance of pandemic—circulates in poultry
populations/no immunity
Avian Influenza
• Most swine flu infection have been mild—but 2009
pandemic shows the possibility of massive spread
• Unique—pigs become infected from variety of strains—
they act as “mixing vessel” and create new influenza
virus.
Swine Flu